Unit Elections

The Unit Election is the beginning of a Scout’s journey in the Order of the Arrow. Each unit election is held at a troop’s meeting by the local chapter’s election team. Every youth member in the Order of the Arrow has been chosen by their peers.

When are Elections?

The unit elections season in Ini-To Lodge is from October 1 to the Klondike Derby in January. Unit elections may be held outside of this window; however, this timeframe is encouraged so that candidates may experience the council-wide Call-Out Ceremony during the Klondike Derby. Troops may only hold one unit election per year.

Who is Eligible?

The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are:

Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

The youth must have experienced 15 nights of Boy Scout camping while registered with a troop or team within the two years immediately prior to the election. The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement. The balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each.

Youth must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach, be elected by the youth members of their troop or team.

Adults (age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and is not for recognition of service, including current or prior positions. Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities, and must provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.

What to Expect

All election teams will consist of at least two youth and one adult. Most elections can take between 15 to 30 minutes depending on your unit size. Prior to the election, some teams will ask for a list of eligible scouts in order to build a ballot and some will ask that the unit builds their own ballots. Before contacting your local chapter adviser, please have your list of eligible Scouts prepared.

After the election, the candidate information will be forwarded to lodge leadership to be called out at the Klondike Derby. We encourage all units to participate in this ceremony, as it benefits the candidate’s induction experience; however, the unit leader may choose to announce the names of those elected immediately following the election if they so choose.

Schedule a Unit Election

To schedule a unit election, please contact your local chapter based in your district.